The Ultimate Back Pain Medications Quiz

Back pain can severely affect a person's ability to function. Pain medications can have a big impact on people's lives, improving their functional ability and their quality of life. There are many different types of pain medications and a variety of methods to administer these medications. See how much you know about back pain medications by taking this quiz.

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Question 1 of 20

Why are many opiods combined with other analgesics?

They lessen opiod side effects.

They make the tablet last longer.

Opiod tablets are often combined with other analgesics, including aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as this combination makes the drug more powerful and helps it to last longer.

They make the tablet cheaper.

Question 2 of 20

How does combining opiods with other analgesics affect the dose of opiod in the tablet?

It increases the opiod dose.

It decreases the opiod dose.

The opiod content can be decreased when mixed with other analgesics, since they make the opiod more potent.

It doesn't affect the opiod dose.

Question 3 of 20

What system in the body is most at risk when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

the gastrointestinal system

NSAIDs have been known to cause an upset stomach or even bleeding stomach ulcers when used regularly. This is because NSAIDs thin the protective layer of the stomach, lining making it vulnerable to ulcers. However, when taken in small amounts or short-term NSAIDs can be a very affective pain reliever.

the immune system

the cardiovascular system

Question 4 of 20

When NSAIDs are combined with __ medication the risk for GI upset is greater.

immunosuppressants

ACE inhibitors

SSRI antidepressants

The combination of NSAIDs and SSRI antidepressants increases the risk of bleeding gastrointestinal ulcers.

Question 5 of 20

Patients with __ disease have to be very careful when taking NSAIDs.

lung disease

kidney disease

Patients with kidney disease have to be especially careful when taking NSAIDs because they can harm the kidneys. NSAIDs also pose a risk for people with congestive heart failure.

anemia

Question 6 of 20

How many U.S. hospital admissions each year are related to NSAID use?

760

7600

76000

Some 76,000 hospital admissions each year are accredited to NSAIDs and 7,600 of these people die from problems relating to the drug.

Question 7 of 20

Which form of NSAID is thought to be safer?

tablet

injection

cream

NSAIDs have now been formed into creams which are thought to be safer than tablets. This is because they can relieve chronic pain by being applied topically to the affected area, while bypassing many of the problems that oral NSAIDs may cause.

Question 8 of 20

What does the word opium mean in Greek?

elation

juice

Opium means "juice" in Greek. It was named so because the drug is extracted from the juice of the poppy plant and was used by the Greeks as a drug in ancient times.

healer

Question 9 of 20

MS Contin is a common medication used for pain. What is the active ingredient in MS Contin?

morphine

Morphine is the active ingredient in MS Contin and is also the pharmacological ingredient in opium. MS stands for morphine sulfate and contin means continuous. The name MS Contin implies sustained release morphine medication which is what MS Contin is.

ibuprofen

acetaminophen

Question 10 of 20

How do opiods help with back pain?

They make damaged tissue heal faster.

They block pain signals.

Unfortunately, opiods cannot make the body heal faster or make pain go away. What they can do is to block specific pain receptors in the body that are found in the joints, skin, spinal cord and brain. This reduces or eliminates the amount of pain the body can feel.

They reduce the amount of pain signals.

Question 11 of 20

What is the worst side effect of opiods?

constipation

disorientation

suppressed respiratory drive

All of these are side effects of opiods. However, the most feared side effect is a suppressed breathing, which can cause oxygen deprivation in the body.

Question 12 of 20

What is the most common side effect of opiods?

constipation

Constipation is the most common side effect of opiods, but can be easily managed with laxatives.

disorientation

decreased breathing rate

Question 13 of 20

How can you determine if a patient is addicted to a medication?

The medication will help their pain.

The medication will not help their pain.

Addiction is a major concern for many doctors and patients with regard to pain medications. However, it is generally easy to determine the difference between someone who is addicted and someone who is dependant on a medication. A person who is addicted to a medication will not feel relief from taking the medication, whereas a person who is dependant on a medication will be able to function better as long as they take the medication.

The patient will ask to reduce the medication doses.

Question 14 of 20

What does it mean when a person is physically dependant on a medication?

Their body has adapted to having the medication present.

When someone is physically dependant on a medication it means their body has adapted to having a certain medication present in order to function at a certain level. Suddenly taking the medication away can surprise the body and cause reactions such as withdrawal. Generally a person who is addicted to medication will display compulsive behavior and demand more of the drug.

The person exhibits compulsive behavior requesting more medication.

They person will die if they do not get the medication.

Question 15 of 20

When were the hypodermic needle and syringe invented?

1850

The hypodermic needle and syringe were invented around 1850. Since the creation of the needle and syringe, doctors have sought alternative methods for medication administration, because needles don't always get the medication to the area it is need as quickly as desired and since many patients cannot tolerate injections.

1880

1910

Question 16 of 20

Some medications are administered topically with a patch. How long does it usually take for medication to reach its optimum dose when administered through a patch?

6 hours

12 hours

A patch is usually made of a few layers that contain enough medication to provide sustained release of the medication over a few days and to help it stick to the skin. The patch usually takes about 12 hours until the optimum drug dose is reached and generally patches are changed every three days.

24 hours

Question 17 of 20

A lollipop-style medication applicator has recently been invented. What part of the body is the medication absorbed into?

the nerves in the mouth

the taste buds under the tongue

the tissue mucosa lining the mouth

The "lollipop" is composed of a sweetened lozenge laced with high powered fentanyl. It is rubbed on the inside of the cheek and travels straight to the brain through the tissue mucosa lining the walls of the mouth.

Question 18 of 20

How long does it take until people feel relief from pain after having a "lollipop" pain killer?

5 minutes

Patients say that they feel pain relief within 5 minutes of taking the lollipop pain reliever. It is faster than any oral tablet and delivers medication almost as quickly as morphine given intravenously.

15 minutes

30 minutes

Question 19 of 20

How does a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump prevent a patient from overdosing?

It pages the doctor after a certain period.

It alarms when a patient has too much.

It has a "lockout" function.

The patient is given a button which connects to the PCA. Each time the patient feels pain they press the button to administer a dose of a pain-relieving medication intravenously through the PCA pump. The machine prevents overdose by limiting how much medication is administered on each push and by 'locking out' if a certain amount of doses are given within a certain period.

Question 20 of 20

How does the pain medication itself prevent a person from overdosing when using a PCA?

It makes the patient drowsy.

The medications used in a PCA usually make the patient drowsy. An individual dose is not enough to overdose a patient, but will contribute to the drowsy effect. After many pushes, the level of the drug builds up in the system and the patient will probably fall asleep, unable to press again until the drug wears off and he or she wakes up.